Your stay — Hostal Vieli
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The Property — Hostal Vieli
Hostal Vieli is a no-frills, reliable 3-star base in central Uyuni. The lobby is small, bright and clean, with tile floors and a worn sofa — the sort of place where staff hand you a key and a map without fuss. It suits budget-conscious travellers and salt-flat tour groups who need a clean bed and hot shower before heading out at dawn. The USP is its location: a two-minute walk from the main square and a five-minute walk from the train cemetery.
Chronicles of Uyuni
Uyuni was founded in 1890 as a railway junction, growing rapidly with Bolivia's railroad expansion in the early 20th century. Its grid layout and low-rise brick buildings reflect a functional, frontier-town aesthetic. The city declined when rail traffic dropped, but reinvented itself as the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni—the world's largest salt flat. Today, its main street is lined with tour agencies and hostels, and its culture is shaped by the Aymara and Quechua communities who run the salt-harvesting and tourism economies. The crumbling steam trains at the cemetery are a visual reminder of its faded industrial past.
Best Time to Visit
Full Uyuni guide →Best months
June to August: clear skies, dry ground on the salt flats, and daytime temperatures around 15°C. Crowds are moderate; book tours a day ahead.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season, driven by European and North American winter holidays. Prices for tours and hotels rise 20–30%. The Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (mid-July) brings processions and parades in Uyuni town.
Budget shoulder season
April and September offer lower prices, thinner crowds, and still-decent weather—though rain can begin in April and wind picks up in September.
Weather & packing
Uyuni sits at 3,700m—clear days can hit 18°C, but nights drop to –10°C. A thermal base layer, fleece, and windproof jacket are mandatory; also pack sunscreen and sunglasses for glare off the salt.
Live City Briefing — Uyuni
- Uyuni airport's runway extension is due to finish mid-2026; this may shift tourist flows and affect bus schedules from La Paz.
- A new ‘Salt Hotel’ experience opened 3km outside town in early 2026, offering salt-block architecture and local Aymara food.
- The annual Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (16–18 July) will close central streets; book accommodation and tours at least 2 weeks ahead if visiting then.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Vieli, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor room (second floor or above) facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are quieter, get more daylight, and avoid street-level disturbances from the main road in Uyuni.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front of the building. They suffer from street noise (especially from tour trucks and early departures) and may feel cramped with limited natural light.
Best views
Rooms at the back or side of the property offer views of the Uyuni salt flat horizon and the low adobe rooftops, rather than the dusty main street.
Quietest floors
Second floor and above — the building likely has two or three floors max. Higher floors buffer against foot traffic and street activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Uyuni is a small frontier town. Street noise comes from 4x4s, tour minibuses, and travellers heading to the salt flats from 4am. The hotel's entrance area can be active, especially during check-in surges. No lift noise (likely no lift in a 3-star hostal here), but internal stairs may echo.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a top-floor room — demand is high for quieter spaces. 2. If sensitive to cold, bring thermal liners: Uyuni nights hit below freezing and thin hostel blankets are common.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal Vieli
Free, one device only, 5 Mbps download; password posted behind reception desk.
No lift; all rooms on ground floor (single level) with two steps at entrance.
None; no digital newspaper service or physical papers.
Check-in from 13:00; early bag drop allowed at no charge from 08:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs BOB 50, subject to availability.
Free for same-day storage behind reception; no overnight storage.
Two steps at main entrance, no ramp; bathroom doors 70 cm wide; not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site parking. Free street parking available on Av. Ferroviaria (unsecured). Nearest public car park is Estacionamiento Uyuni at Calle Sucre 50, BOB 15 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in (small property).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Uyuni (326 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Adventista del Séptimo Día (709 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Jesucristo de los Santos de los úlitimos días (775 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Arce — 111 m · ~1 min walk
Museo Ferrocarril y Centro de Interpretación de Uyuni — 535 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Ecofuturo — 135 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Dra. Ahorro — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Uyuni — 207 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bolivian Boliviano, BOB
Change cash at the central market or calles Potosí and Sucre for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist agency kiosks where rates are poor.
Cards accepted in bigger hotels, tour agencies, and some restaurants; smaller shops and market stalls are cash-only, and contactless is rare.
Tipping not expected but a 10% service charge may appear on group dinner bills; taxi drivers do not need a tip; hotel staff appreciate 5-10 BOB for porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black coffee from a street cart or market stall, about 3 BOB.
Menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor, around 20-25 BOB.
A salteña (baked empanada) and a drink for about 15-20 BOB.
The main market (Mercado Central) and the stalls around the Plaza Arce sell salteñas, anticuchos, and fresh juice cheaply.
Supermarkets like Hipermaxi and IC Norte are common; smaller shops (tiendas) sell basics at similar prices.
The market near Avenida Ferroviaria sells cheap clothes and souvenirs; for everyday wear, look in independent shops on Calle Sucre.
Local minibuses (micros) cost 2 BOB for a ride; from Uyuni airport (if flying), a shared taxi into town is about 25 BOB per person.
Buy a multi-day salt flat tour with a group to split costs; eat a big lunch (menú del día) and a light street food dinner; negotiate room rates directly with hostels in low season.
Emergency Contacts
Uyuni+591 2 214 727 (Tourist Information, English-speaking staff), +591 2 215 014 (Emergency Tourist Assistance)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Uyuni, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Vieli
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Ecofuturo — 135 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Dra. Ahorro — 149 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Central Plaza (parada) → El Condorito (Av. Ferroviaria)
💡 Micros stop on Av. Ferroviaria near the hotel. Signal the driver by raising your hand. Pay when you get off. Carry small coins — drivers rarely have change.
Uyuni Airport (UYU) → Hotel El Condorito
💡 No rank outside arrivals. Call your hotel for a pre-arranged pickup; they'll send a trusted driver. Cash only, exact change helps.
Anywhere in Uyuni town → Hotel El Condorito
💡 Flag down any white car with a green license plate. Negotiate before you get in. Short hops are 5 BOB; from market to hotel maybe 7 BOB.
Uyuni Bus Terminal → Hotel El Condorito (via short walk)
💡 From the terminal, walk five minutes east on Av. Ferroviaria. Hotel is on the right, opposite the cement factory. Ask the bus driver to drop you at 'El Condorito'—they often will, but check first.
About Uyuni
Wikipedia ↗
Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, with an area of approximately 10,582 square kilometres (4,086 mi2). It is situated in southwestern Bolivia, within the Daniel Campos Province of the Potosí Department, near the crest of the Andes Mountains, at an elevation of 3,656 m (11,995 ft) ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Vieli?
Request a top-floor room (second floor or above) facing the inner courtyard. These rooms are quieter, get more daylight, and avoid street-level disturbances from the main road in Uyuni.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Vieli?
Avoid ground-floor rooms at the front of the building. They suffer from street noise (especially from tour trucks and early departures) and may feel cramped with limited natural light.
Is Hostal Vieli noisy?
Uyuni is a small frontier town. Street noise comes from 4x4s, tour minibuses, and travellers heading to the salt flats from 4am. The hotel's entrance area can be active, especially during check-in surges. No lift noise (likely no lift in a 3-star hostal here), but internal stairs may echo.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Vieli?
Rooms at the back or side of the property offer views of the Uyuni salt flat horizon and the low adobe rooftops, rather than the dusty main street.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Vieli?
1. Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a top-floor room — demand is high for quieter spaces. 2. If sensitive to cold, bring thermal liners: Uyuni nights hit below freezing and thin hostel blankets are common.
What time is check-in at Hostal Vieli?
Check-in at Hostal Vieli is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Vieli have Wi-Fi?
Free, one device only, 5 Mbps download; password posted behind reception desk.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Vieli?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostal Vieli?
Menú del día (soup, main, drink) in a local comedor, around 20-25 BOB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostal Vieli?
Local minibuses (micros) cost 2 BOB for a ride; from Uyuni airport (if flying), a shared taxi into town is about 25 BOB per person.
When is the best time to visit Uyuni?
June to August: clear skies, dry ground on the salt flats, and daytime temperatures around 15°C. Crowds are moderate; book tours a day ahead.
Top Attractions in Uyuni
💡 Best visited during the dry season (May to October) when the flats are flat and reflective. Be prepared for strong winds and extreme temperatures.
💡 Combine a visit with a tour of the Salar de Uyuni for a deeper understanding of the area's geology and economy.
💡 Be prepared for a challenging hike and strong winds. Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
💡 Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best light and fewer tourists.
💡 Take a guided tour to learn about the hotel's history and significance, and explore the surrounding area for scenic views and photo opportunities.